Singapore is a strong market for jewelry retail, with boutiques ranging from Haji Lane independents to upscale shopping mall brands. What many customers do not realize is that a significant portion of the 925 sterling silver sold in Singapore is manufactured in Indonesia, primarily in Surabaya and Bali.
The proximity is part of it. Surabaya is two hours from Singapore by air. DHL Express makes the transit door-to-door in one to three business days. But the more important factor is that Indonesia has a mature, skilled silversmithing industry that has been producing for export since the 1980s. Quality, variety, and reasonable minimums are all available in ways that are harder to find in Thailand or China for small and mid-size brands.
Why Singapore Brands Choose Indonesia Over Other Sources
The main reasons Singapore-based buyers give for choosing an Indonesian silver manufacturer:
- 0% import duty under ATIGA. Indonesia and Singapore are both ASEAN members. Silver jewelry from Indonesia (HS Code 7113.11) enters Singapore at 0% duty when accompanied by a Certificate of Origin (Form D). This makes the landed cost significantly lower than sourcing from outside ASEAN.
- Fast lead times. A factory in Surabaya typically delivers ready-made catalog orders in 3 to 7 business days from order confirmation. Custom design production varies by complexity, but 3 to 6 weeks is standard for a new mold plus production run.
- Low minimum orders. Singapore boutiques often need flexibility to test new designs before committing to large stock. Indonesian manufacturers who work with export orders are generally more open to starting at 15 to 30 pieces per design than factories in China or Thailand.
- Skilled handwork. Sterling silver requires more hand-finishing than mass-produced metals. The artisan tradition in Surabaya means surface finishing, stone setting, and detail work are done by experienced craftspeople, not purely by machine.
The Custom OEM Process for Singapore Brands
If you are building a private-label collection rather than ordering from a catalog, the process typically runs like this:
Step 1: Design brief. You provide a design brief, technical drawings, or reference photos. We review and advise on what is feasible in 925 sterling silver, whether stone setting is practical, and what the approximate per-piece cost will be at your target quantity.
Step 2: Sample production. We produce one or two prototypes for your approval. This takes 2 to 4 weeks depending on the complexity. Prototypes are charged at a fixed sample fee, which is typically credited against your first production order.
Step 3: Production. Once you approve the sample, production begins. For a run of 30 to 50 pieces per design, lead time is typically 3 to 5 weeks.
Step 4: QC and shipping. Every piece is inspected before packing. We provide full export documentation including a Certificate of Origin for the 0% ATIGA duty rate. DHL Express delivers to your Singapore address in 1 to 3 business days.
Payment and Invoicing for Singapore Buyers
Standard payment terms are a 50% deposit on order confirmation and the balance before shipment. We invoice in USD, with an SGD equivalent available on request. International bank transfers from Singapore are straightforward, and most Singapore buyers use their business banking app to transfer in USD directly.
If you are a Singapore jewelry brand looking for a custom silver manufacturer in Indonesia, contact us with your design brief or a description of what you are looking for. We are happy to send a current catalog and price list, and to discuss whether a custom or catalog approach makes more sense for your first order.